Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

February 27, 2011

DESIRE THE RIGHT THINGS

Of all the great one liners I have heard from other Basilians, the best is from Fr. Edmund McCorkell who said, ‘The secret to getting what you desire is to desire the right things.’ It is the perfect thesis for our Gospel excerpt today.

Jesus tells us not to worry about our life; about what we will eat or drink; about our body or what we will wear; do not worry about tomorrow, for it will take care of itself. But seek first the Kingdom of God and all of these things will be given to you.

But the clue as to how we are to interpret this Gospel is in the very beginning: ‘No one can serve two masters’ This Gospel is not simply about those things that take up so much energy; rather it is about mastery and slavery. What has your ultimate attention?

Jesus is not telling us that we should be unconcerned with our lives; rather he is telling us those things must come second to God. Obviously, we need food and clothes and he like – but why do we need them? What purpose do they serve?